Organizers of the ongoing nationwide protest against hardship, including former Vice President Abubakar Atiku, Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, and human rights activist Femi Falana, SAN, have criticized President Bola Tinubu’s response to the protest, which entered its fourth day yesterday.
The protesters had demanded that the President address the nation and respond to their 15-point demand to call off the protests. However, unsatisfied with the President’s response, the organizers continued their actions at Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota, Lagos, as well as in Osun, Kano, and other states. They asserted that the nationwide broadcast did not address their demands.
The police barred the protesters from holding a procession beyond the designated ground at Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota.
### President’s Broadcast: A Complete Disaster
One of the main organizers, Mr. Deji Adeyanju, described President Tinubu’s broadcast as a complete disaster, stating that it failed to address any of the protesters’ demands. Adeyanju criticized the President for not taking action against those responsible for killing peaceful protesters and failing to address critical issues such as fuel subsidies and electricity tariffs.
### Protesters’ Responses from Various States
#### Osun State
Ajala Adetunji, Coordinator of the protest in Osun State, stated that his group, the Coalition of Concerned Nigeria Citizens, would continue protesting as the President did not address their concerns. Emmanuel Olowu, Secretary of the Osun Coalition of Civil Societies, echoed this sentiment, stating that the President’s call for dialogue lacked clear indicators of action.
#### Kano State
Hundreds of protesters continued their demonstration in Kano, expressing dissatisfaction with the President’s broadcast. The state government relaxed the 24-hour curfew by six hours to ease its toll on residents. Protesters were seen displaying the Russian flag and chanting slogans against President Tinubu.
#### Katsina State
In Katsina, hoodlums hijacked the protest, invading and looting churches. The Living Faith Church in Daura was damaged, and its valuables stolen. Similar attacks occurred at Deeper Life Church and the Anglican Church, though the extent of the damage was unclear. Pastor David Jato confirmed the attacks and the theft of several items from the church.
### Reactions from Key Figures and Organizations
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticized the President’s speech as hollow and lacking solutions to the hardship facing Nigerians. Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka condemned the use of live bullets against protesters and called for a more civilized approach to protest management. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described the speech as insensitive and diversionary, failing to address the high cost of living and other pressing issues.
Femi Falana, SAN, urged President Tinubu to address the demands of the peaceful protesters, particularly the reversal of the policy on fuel subsidies. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) expressed disappointment with the President’s speech, noting it did not address the hunger and frustration in the country. The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) called on the government to address economic contradictions strangulating the private sector.
The National Association of Maritime Transport Operators (NAMTOP) also condemned the President’s broadcast, highlighting the unprofessional conduct of security operatives during the protests.
